fu1 gau3呼救
Jyutpingfu1 gau3
Yalefū gau
Definition
To call for help; to cry out in order to attract attention and get assistance.
neutraldaily actionsother
How it's used
Carries a sense of urgency and desperation, typically reserved for life threatening situations or serious emergencies. Unlike casual requests for assistance, it implies a need for immediate intervention from bystanders or authorities. It is formal enough to appear in news reports about accidents or crimes, yet remains perfectly understandable in daily speech.
Examples
If you see someone stealing, you need to shout for help.
Related words
Common phrases
shout for help
Common mistake
Avoid using this to mean asking for help with minor tasks, such as asking a friend to help move furniture or finish homework. For those everyday situations, use 幫手 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
